The governor noted that although NUT officials tried to unlawfully prevent teachers from working, many defied this intimidation, saying that, the strike action will not restore bad teachers.

He further stated that the government is collating reports from its education administrators, insisting, that all teachers who absented themselves from work will face the severest penalties applicable in the public service rules.

El-Rufai noted that across the state, the illegality of the NUT’s strike action is being compounded by physical attempts to frustrate those teachers who wish to work.

He said: “No law permits any worker to tamper with another’s right to work. The attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this dangerous pattern of conduct.”

“Kaduna State Government is resolute in its determination to protect the future of the children of the poor. Ordinary citizens are entitled to expect public primary schools to deliver a decent standard of education. At least two million pupils are enrolled in public primary schools and their interests come first.

“[The] Government is delighted to inform the public that marking of scripts of the 43,000 applicants for teaching positions is now concluded. The recruitment process to inject 25,000 qualified teachers into our public schools will now move to the next phase."

The Kaduna state governor stressed that the government will not allow the selfishness of a tiny minority to ruin the future of two million children.